Toolholder and lock



Dec. 9, 1947. x. A. ELKINS 2,432,144

TOOLHOLDER AND LOCK Filed April 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. IEV/NG fl. ELK/N5.

AT Toe/V671 Patented Dec. 9, 1947 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOOLHOLDER AND LOCK Irving A. Elkins, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application April 2, 1945, SerialNo. 586,087

Claims. (01. sis-19.4)

This invention relates to safety holders or retaining means for use in connection with pneumatic devices, such as, chipping hammers, rivetsetters, etc.

Such pneumatic devices are each provided with a cylinder or barrel in which the rearward end of the tool is retained and some positive locking means should be provided for retaining the tool against its accidental withdrawal or dislodgement from the cylinder or barrel and thereby prevent possible accidents or annoyance. It sometimes happens that when one of these pneumatic devices is left around on the job with the operating tool in the pneumatically actuated device, a passer-by inadvertently brushes up against it or kicks it setting the device in operation and thereby causing the tool to escape from the barrel of the device and possibly injuring a person being present in the path of the escaping tool.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder or retainer for a tool employable in connection with a pneumatically-operated device, which will lock the tool to the device and thus prevent its escape or withdrawal therefrom during deliberate or accidental operation of the device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide holding or retaining means for a tool of the aforementioned type which will permit the too1 being readily applied to the device to locked position or being readily unlocked and removed therefrom when desired.

It is another object of the, present invention to provide a holder for pneumatically operated tools which wil1 permit a rapid exchange of tools from the holder.

It is a still further object of the present invention to automatically lock such tool in position when inserted in the holder and with a slight turn of a sleeve member provided on the device by the hand to release the tool from the holder.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following disclosure thereof together with the attached drawings which illustrate a certain form of embodiment thereof. This form is shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactor and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can'be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is aside-elevational view of the device made in accordance with the invention as applied to pneumatically-operated chipping hammer;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View partly in section of the device showing the locking portion thereof with the tool in released position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the tool in clamped and operative position;

Fig. 4 is an end View seen in the direction of the arrow 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view seen in the direction of arrow 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrow 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrow 1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrow 8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrow 9 of Fig. 3';

Fig. 10 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrow ll) of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 11 is an end view looking in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 2.

In one of its general aspects, the tool retaining means comprises the housing 33 having at one end an opening for receiving a part of the tooloperating hammer I6 and at its other end an opening for receiving the rearward part of the tool I! including the shoulder or flange l9, these openings being in communication, the resilient means 23 in the form of a helical spring disposed within the housing against which bears the annular member 22, the sprin urging the member 22 in an outward direction. Disposed over the forward end of housing 33 is a sleeve 26 within which is disposed a spring 30 adapted to rotatably return the sleeve to initial position after being rotated, the housing 33 having elongated slots 25a, formed therein in which are swingably arranged and movable therein the gripping or catch fingers or elements 25 having portions 24 projectable through the slots.

Cooperable cam means 38 on arms 25 and 39 in sleeve or shell 26 are provided for causing the projectable portions 24 being retracted and being released from the flange l3 when the sleeve 26 is rotated, this rotation of the sleeve and the retraction of the portions 24 permitting the annular member 22 being urged by the spring 23 into such a position as to maintain the portions 24 in retracted position, whereby the tool I! may be withdrawn from the housing 33. A second cam means 4!] is formed in sleeve 26 for causing provided with holes 59 to clear screws 55.

portions 24 to engage the tool flange 9 during return movement of the sleeve 26 to its initial position by the spring 36 upon depressing the annular member 22 by the tool flange |9 while the end portion of the tool is being inserted in the housing 33.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is seen in Fig. 1 a pneumatically actuated hammer and tool l5 comprising the conventional hammer portion I6, chisel I1 and chisel holder and lock device l8. Chisel I1 is provided with an annular flange l9 having a straight surface and a tapered surface 2|.

When the tool I! is inserted as shown in Fig. 3, its tapered surface 2| will abut against ring 22 which in the depressing operation will compress coil spring 23. Ring 22 as shown in Fig. 2 will maintain fingers 24 of arms 25 projecting through slot-s 25a in an outward position. Sleeve 26 is provided on its inside surface with a ridge 2! which at one point has the perforation 28 to receive the upturned end 29 of spring 36. The down-turned end 3| of spring 30 fits into a recess 32 of shank or housing 33 of the retaining and locking device l8. Spring 30 will have the tendency to rotate the cylindrical member 26 in the direction of arrow 34. Arms 25 are fulcrumed at one of their ends by means of pins 35 located within holes 36 of housing 33. The lower end 31 of arm- 25 has a cam-like extension 38 which, when in disengagement with cam recess 39 of sleeve 26 will cause arm 25 to swing outwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Sleeve 26 has another set of earns 40 at its other end in the form of a rib with cutouts 4|, each cut-out forming a cam surface 42, which when riding against the surface 43 of arm 25 will cause arm 25 to swing inwardly as shown in Fig. 3. When the arms 25 are in this position, their cam faces 38 are in engagement respectively with the recesses 39.

Arms 25 and sleeve 26, however, can swing and rotate respectively, only, when flange or collar |9 of drill IT has pushed in annular member 22 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3. Fingers 24 will thereupon, embrace the flat surface 20 of collar I9 holding the tool securely within locking device l8. The movement of sleeve 26 is limited by the screws 45 secured to shank portion 33 of the device l8. The

free end 46 of each screw 45 will project into slot 41 of housing 26.

The length of the slot 41 is slightly larger than the total rotative movement of sleeve 26 so that the cams may be operated.

Slots 48 of the screws 45 will receive when in their final position a spring 49, the free ends 50 of which enter a perforation 5| within shell 26, thus preventing screws 45 from loosening during vibration of the pneumatic hammer when in operation.

The device I8 is provided with screws at the end 56 of shank 33 so as to permit securement of device l8 to sleeve 51 of the hammer I6. Since sleeve 51 may vary in size depending upon the size or type hammer employed, a sleeve 56 is provided to allow for such variations. Sleeve 58 is To assure alinement of holes 59 with screws 55, a projection, lip or tongue 69 is provided in sleeve 58, lip 60 fitting into a slot 6| of end 56 of shank 33.

Ring 22 and coil spring 23 are inserted within shank 33 through opening 62 and when placed are secured by means of washer 63 and snap ring 64.

When operating the device, tool I5 is usually held with its working end H in a downward direction. To release tool H, for example, for the purpose of exchanging or replacing the same, a slight turn of the sleeve 26 by the hand of the operator in the direction of the arrow '10 (Fig. 5), Will cause cam 39 to push against extension 38 of arm 25 compelling or permitting arm 25 to swing outwardly as shown in Fig. 2. This cutward movement of arm 25 is made possible, because sleeve 26 during its rotation has also brought the recess 4| in alinement with arm 25 as shown in Fig. 6, thus permitting arm 25 to swing outwardly. Coil spring 23 will press ring 22 into the position shown in Fig. 2, thus retaining arms 25 in outward extended position. Now the tool I! will be free from locking engagement with device I8, for withdrawal. When replacing a new tool, collar l9 thereof will press against ring 22 depressing the same into the position shown in Fig. 3, thus permitting spring 39 to rotate the sleeve 26 in the direction of arrow 34 causing cam surfaces 42 to strike against surfaces 43 of arms 25 moving the latter into the position shown in Fig. 7, which is also the locking position seen in Fig. 3.

It is understood that tool-retaining means made in accordance with this invention may comprise a separate device attachable to a pneumatically actuated hammer or the retaining means may comprise portions, one or more of which may be made integral with or incorporated in the hammer and another portion of which is attachable to the hammer. It is evident that part of the tool holding and locking means may be built into the hammer and part in a separate device attachable to the hammer.

Although the drawings, and the above specification disclose the best mode in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, I desire in no way to be limited to the details of such disclosure, for in the further practical application of my invention many changes in the forms and proportions may be made as circumstances require or experience suggests without departing from the spirit of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Tool retaining means comprising in combination with a tool provided with a shoulder, a housing having at one end an opening for receiving a part of tool-operating means and at its other end an opening for receiving the said shoulder, said openings being in communication, resilient means within said housing, an annular member disposed within said housing adjacent said other end. said member bearing against said resilient means and being urged outwardly thereby, a rotatable sleeve disposed over said housing adjacent said other end thereof, a second resilient means, adapted to rotatably return said sleeve to initial position after being rotated, elongated slots formed in said housin gripping elements swingably arranged at said slots and movable therein, said elements having portions projectable through said slots, respectively, cooperable cam means in said sleeve and on said elements, said cam means causing said projectable portions being retracted and being released from said tool shoulder when said sleeve is rotated, said rotation of said sleeve and said retraction of said projectable portions permitting said annular member being urged by said first-mentioned resilient means into such a position as to maintain said projectable portions in retracted position, whereby said tool may be withdrawn from said housing, and a second cam means in said sleeve, said second cam means ausing said projectable portions to engage said tool shoulder during return movement of said sleeve to said initial position by said second resilient means upon depressing said annular member by said tool shoulder.

2. Tool retaining means comprising in combination with a tool provided with a shoulder, a housing having at one end an opening for receiving a part of tool-operating means and at its other end an opening for receiving the said shoulder, said openings being in communication, a helical spring within said housing, an annular member disposed within said housing adjacent said other end, said member bearing against said spring and being urged outwardly thereby, a r0- tatable sleeve disposed over said hOllSil'lg adjacent said other end thereof, spring means adapted to rotatably return said sleeve to initial position after being rotated, stop means for limiting extent of rotation of said sleeve, elongated slots formed in said housing, gripping elements swingably arranged at said slots and movable therein, said elements having portions projectable through said slots, respectively, cooperable cam means in said sleeve and on said elements, said cam means adapted to cause said projectable portions being retracted and being released from said tool shoulder when said sleeve is rotated in one direction, said rotation of said sleeve and said retraction ofsaid projectable portions permitting said annular member being urged by said helical spring into such a position as to maintain said projectable portions in retracted position, whereby said tool may be withdrawn from said housing, and a second cam means in said sleeve, said second cam means causing said projectable portions to engage said tool shoulder during return movement of said sleeve to said initial position by said spring means upon depressing said annular member by said tool shoulder.

3, Tool retaining means comprising in combination a housing, resilient means within said housing, an annular member disposed within said housing adjacent one end thereof, said member bearing against said resilient means and being urged outwardly thereby, a rotatable sleeve disposed over said housing adjacent said one end thereof, a second resilient means adapted to rotatably return said sleeve to initial position after being rotated, elongated slots formed in said housing, gripping elements swingably arranged at said slots and movable therein, said elements having portions projectable through said slots, respectively, cooperable cam means in said sleeve and on said elements, said cam means causing said projectable portions being retracted when said sleeve is rotated, said rotation of said sleeve and said retraction of said projectable portions permitting said annular member being urged by said first-mentioned resilient means into such a position as to maintain said projectable portions in retracted position, and a second cam means in said sleeve, said second cam means causing said gripping elements to swing inwardly during return movement of said sleeve to said initial position by said second resilient means upon said annular member being depressed against said first resilient means.

4. Tool retaining means comprising a housing having an opening at one end thereof for receiving an end portion of a tool havin a shoulder, resilient means within said housing, an annular member disposed within said housing adjacent its said end, said member bearing against said resilient means and being urged outwardly thereby, a rotatable sleeve disposed over said housing adjacent its said end, a second resilient means adapted to rotatably return said sleeve to initial position after being rotated, stop means to limit the extent of rotation of said sleeve in either direction, elongated slots formed in said housing, gripping elements swingably arranged at said slots and movable therein, said elements having portions projectable through said slots, respectively, cooperable cam means in said sleeve and on said elements, said cam means causing said projectable portions being retracted and being released from said tool shoulder when said sleeve is rotated in one direction, said rotation of said sleeve and said retraction of said projectable portions permitting said annular member being urged by said first-mentioned resilient means into such a position as to maintain said projectable portions in retracted position, whereby said tool may be withdrawn from said housing, and a second cam means in said sleeve, said second cam means causing said projectable portions to engage said tool shoulder during return movement of said sleeve to said initial position by said second resilient means upon depressing said annular member by said tool shoulder.

5. Tool retaining means comprising a housing, a member disposed within said housing adjacent one end thereof, means in said housing urging said member in an outward direction, a rotatable sleeve arranged around said housing, means to rotatably return said sleeve to initial position after being rotated, openings in said housing, elements swingably arranged at said openings and having portions projectable through said openings, cooperable cam means in said sleeve and on said elements, said cam means adapted to cause said projectable portions being retracted when said sleeve is rotated, rotation of said sleeve and consequent retraction of said projectable portions permitting said member being urged by said first-named means into such a position as to maintain said projectable portions in retracted position, and a second cam means in said sleeve, said second cam means causing said elements to swing inwardly during return movement of said sleeve to said initial position, upon said member being depressed against said first-named means.

IRVING A. ELKINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,888,685 Norling Nov, 22, 1932 2,354,226 Stoner July 25, 1944 1,743,988 Yahres Jan. 14, 1930 603,825 Barber May 10, 1898 1,291,421 Coulter Jan. 14, 1919 

